Armenian-Turkish Scandal at the European Weightlifting Championship

A scandal erupted during the medal ceremony of the 49 kg weight category for senior-aged athletes at the European Weightlifting Championship for athletes aged under 15 and 17, taking place in Eilat, Israel.

The Armenian weightlifter Garnik Cholakyan was declared the winner. However, during the national anthem of Armenia, the Turkish athlete who took second place continually stepped forward, positioning his flag in a way that obscured the Armenian tricolor. This led to a confrontation between the two athletes as they attempted to fully display their flags. Unfortunately, the organizers did not intervene, and the Turkish athlete persisted in pushing forward, despite finishing behind the Armenian weightlifter.

After three days of competition, Armenian athletes have already secured four medals. Garik Voskanyan and Rafik Minasyan won silver medals in the 49 kg and 55 kg weight categories, respectively, in the under-15 championship. Ara Poghosyan became a bronze medalist in the 61 kg category of the under-17 championship. Today's competitions will feature Anush Arshakyan competing in the 59 kg weight class from Armenia.